A team from the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) and its strategic partner, the Muar Furniture Association (MFA), recently accomplished a special mission in Sabah by planting trees to help restore the ecosystem of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
Over two days, they planted 100 trees to fulfil a pledge made at the 30th anniversary of MIFF, Southeast Asia’s largest furniture trade show. For every six trees virtually sowed by visitors at the event, a real tree was planted.
Pitching in were MIFF General Manager Ms. Kelie Lim, MFA President Mr. Steve Ong and MFA Executive Advisor Mr. Desmond Tan, who is also the President of the Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC).
The tree-planting campaign was supported by MFA and manufacturers including Ecomate Holdings, Ivorie International, Nova Talent, HengLin Home Furnishings and Wasaniaga, demonstrating the industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The effort was facilitated by Animal Projects and Environment (APE) Malaysia at a reforestation site assigned by the Sabah Wildlife Department.
The Lower Kinabatangan region near Sandakan is Malaysia’s largest RAMSAR wetland site and is home to endangered species such as the Borneo pygmy elephant, orangutan, proboscis monkey, rhinoceros hornbill and crocodiles.
The tree planting initiative was launched at MIFF 2024 to raise awareness for a greener planet. Close to 20,000 visitors, a third of whom came from 120 countries and regions, attended the show.
